The Absolute Sound
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<p>
In other news <strong>Benchmark </strong>(pictured above) introduced its first “analog” product in the guise of an amplifier,* the AHB2. Power output is 100Wpc into 8 ohms (170Wpc into 4 ohms & 340 W bridged mono into 8 ohms) Designed for high resolution digital formats it’s a wide bandwidth design with response out to 200kHz plus it claims a whopping dynamic range approaching 130dB. Although the price hasn’t been settled, Benchmark sources state that they’ll hold the line just under $3000. This isn’t Class D design but it’s claimed to be nearly as efficient as the switch mode technology and said to eliminate crossover distortion.* And it’s capable of handling loads down to two ohms.* I listened to it driving the <strong>Studio Electric</strong> compact monitors ($2450-2850) and it sure exhibited terrific control over these terrific, acoustic-suspension loudspeakers.</p>
<p>
<img alt="" src="http://media.tas.zeitpress.com/articles/images/RMAF_NG_Cyrus.jpg"/></p>
<p>
<strong>Cyrus</strong> electronics has maintained a solid footing in the Euro and Asian markets for years but for the US?-not so much. However, the introduction of the Lyric CD transport/DAC/integrate (est. $5000) could auger a new day in North America for the British firm.* It uses Cyrus’ own Redbook CD coding. At 175Wpc from its hybrid Analog power supply/Class D output stage it uses technology to allow it to handle difficult speaker loads. Ethernet and Wi-Fi capable and internet radio and it’s own comprehensive iPad App plus loads of digital inputs plus an analog input for a phono preamp.</p>
<p>
<img alt="" src="http://media.tas.zeitpress.com/articles/images/RMAF_NG_BelCanto.jpg"/></p>
<p>
<strong>Bel Canto</strong>’s Mike McCormack introduced me to the firm’s unique three box Black playback system which incorporates the ASC-1 (Asynchronous Stream Controller) $20,000 and PS-1 PowerStream DAC/monoblocks ($30k/pr). the imposing, jet black chassis are solid billet aircraft aluminum. the monos are capable of up to 1200W of power output. *Driving <strong>TAD</strong> CR-1 speakers. <strong>Harmonic Resolution</strong> racks, <strong>Kimber</strong> Select cabling w/Palladian power cords. The ASC-1* accepts nine inputs including Ethernet streaming PCM and DSD and USB2 audio up to 24-bit/192kHz. The controller is linked to the monoblocks via BC’s own StreamLink ST Fiber interconnects. The sound was a complete contrast to what I heard in the TAD CR-1 equipped <strong>Zesto</strong> Audio room.* Black Playback was fast, highly detailed but considerably cooler than the tube-driven Zesto system. Same speakers–So is this proof of a still brewing tube-analog/solid-state-digital divide? Room setup? Hard to say except that I’d love to hear these systems again, but next time in the same environment.</p>
<p>
<img alt="" src="http://media.tas.zeitpress.com/articles/images/RMAF_NG_Sony.jpg"/></p>
<p>
The <strong>Sony</strong> footprint in the high end continues to expand with the long awaited introduction of electronics designed to complement its AR & ES Series of loudspeakers. Specifically its PHA-2 High Res Portable DAC/AMP ($599) and TA-A1ES integrated amplifier ($1999). The later joins Sony’s Elevated Standard series, an 80Wpc output with the enhanced frame/beam chassis construction, Smart Bias Control for Class A operation and an amp stage that features robust caps, a toroidal transformer with a 300VA rating</p>
<p>
<img alt="" src="http://media.tas.zeitpress.com/articles/images/Simaudio_MOON_Neo_stack.jpg"/></p>
<p>
<strong>Simaudio</strong> was demoing its all new Moon Neo series lineup (pictured above) which includes CD and network source components and the Neo 350P Preamplifier ($3650)<br/>MOON Neo 400M mono amplifiers ($4300). The preamp borrows liberally from the flagship Evolution series and offers a pair of options which can be installed in the field in the form of a high performance DAC and a MM/MC phono stage. The 400M outputs in pure Class A up to 10 watts, plue the no-overall feedback design uses eight Bipolar output devices to achieve it’s well-muscled 400 watt into 8 ohm (650 into 4 ohm) rating Other elements in this setup included <strong>B&W</strong> 804D loudspeakers along with <strong>Cardas</strong> Clear wire.</p>
[Source: http://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/rocky-mtn-audio-fest-2013-part-3/]
In other news <strong>Benchmark </strong>(pictured above) introduced its first “analog” product in the guise of an amplifier,* the AHB2. Power output is 100Wpc into 8 ohms (170Wpc into 4 ohms & 340 W bridged mono into 8 ohms) Designed for high resolution digital formats it’s a wide bandwidth design with response out to 200kHz plus it claims a whopping dynamic range approaching 130dB. Although the price hasn’t been settled, Benchmark sources state that they’ll hold the line just under $3000. This isn’t Class D design but it’s claimed to be nearly as efficient as the switch mode technology and said to eliminate crossover distortion.* And it’s capable of handling loads down to two ohms.* I listened to it driving the <strong>Studio Electric</strong> compact monitors ($2450-2850) and it sure exhibited terrific control over these terrific, acoustic-suspension loudspeakers.</p>
<p>
<img alt="" src="http://media.tas.zeitpress.com/articles/images/RMAF_NG_Cyrus.jpg"/></p>
<p>
<strong>Cyrus</strong> electronics has maintained a solid footing in the Euro and Asian markets for years but for the US?-not so much. However, the introduction of the Lyric CD transport/DAC/integrate (est. $5000) could auger a new day in North America for the British firm.* It uses Cyrus’ own Redbook CD coding. At 175Wpc from its hybrid Analog power supply/Class D output stage it uses technology to allow it to handle difficult speaker loads. Ethernet and Wi-Fi capable and internet radio and it’s own comprehensive iPad App plus loads of digital inputs plus an analog input for a phono preamp.</p>
<p>
<img alt="" src="http://media.tas.zeitpress.com/articles/images/RMAF_NG_BelCanto.jpg"/></p>
<p>
<strong>Bel Canto</strong>’s Mike McCormack introduced me to the firm’s unique three box Black playback system which incorporates the ASC-1 (Asynchronous Stream Controller) $20,000 and PS-1 PowerStream DAC/monoblocks ($30k/pr). the imposing, jet black chassis are solid billet aircraft aluminum. the monos are capable of up to 1200W of power output. *Driving <strong>TAD</strong> CR-1 speakers. <strong>Harmonic Resolution</strong> racks, <strong>Kimber</strong> Select cabling w/Palladian power cords. The ASC-1* accepts nine inputs including Ethernet streaming PCM and DSD and USB2 audio up to 24-bit/192kHz. The controller is linked to the monoblocks via BC’s own StreamLink ST Fiber interconnects. The sound was a complete contrast to what I heard in the TAD CR-1 equipped <strong>Zesto</strong> Audio room.* Black Playback was fast, highly detailed but considerably cooler than the tube-driven Zesto system. Same speakers–So is this proof of a still brewing tube-analog/solid-state-digital divide? Room setup? Hard to say except that I’d love to hear these systems again, but next time in the same environment.</p>
<p>
<img alt="" src="http://media.tas.zeitpress.com/articles/images/RMAF_NG_Sony.jpg"/></p>
<p>
The <strong>Sony</strong> footprint in the high end continues to expand with the long awaited introduction of electronics designed to complement its AR & ES Series of loudspeakers. Specifically its PHA-2 High Res Portable DAC/AMP ($599) and TA-A1ES integrated amplifier ($1999). The later joins Sony’s Elevated Standard series, an 80Wpc output with the enhanced frame/beam chassis construction, Smart Bias Control for Class A operation and an amp stage that features robust caps, a toroidal transformer with a 300VA rating</p>
<p>
<img alt="" src="http://media.tas.zeitpress.com/articles/images/Simaudio_MOON_Neo_stack.jpg"/></p>
<p>
<strong>Simaudio</strong> was demoing its all new Moon Neo series lineup (pictured above) which includes CD and network source components and the Neo 350P Preamplifier ($3650)<br/>MOON Neo 400M mono amplifiers ($4300). The preamp borrows liberally from the flagship Evolution series and offers a pair of options which can be installed in the field in the form of a high performance DAC and a MM/MC phono stage. The 400M outputs in pure Class A up to 10 watts, plue the no-overall feedback design uses eight Bipolar output devices to achieve it’s well-muscled 400 watt into 8 ohm (650 into 4 ohm) rating Other elements in this setup included <strong>B&W</strong> 804D loudspeakers along with <strong>Cardas</strong> Clear wire.</p>
[Source: http://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/rocky-mtn-audio-fest-2013-part-3/]